From the New Zealander, March 23.

It is with the deepest regret we have to announce the loss of this beautiful brig of war ; mounting twelve guns, on the western coast, about eighteen miles to the northward of Hakianga, on Wednesday, the 11th instant, about three o'clock in the afternoon.

On Tuesday, the 10th instant, the Osprey made the western coast, and was enabled to take an observation, which proved that she was in the latitude of Hokianga ; but the weather coming on thick and hazy, she kept off the land until the evening, when it cleared away. She then stood in, fired two guns to announce to the pilot at Hokianga, that she was off the harbour, and again stood to sea for the night. On the following morning, on nearing the coast, a high southern headland, similar to Hokianga, was seen, with what was presumed to be the pilot's house ; but which, subsequently, proved to be a white spot on the cliff. Soon afterwards, perceiving a red flag run up, it was confidently anticipated that it was the entrance of the Hokianga, and the brig stood on, over the surf, bringing the northern and southern heads in one. After crossing the breakers, which were judged to be the three of Hokianga, the vessel touched ground; but it was thought that she was just merely on the bar, over which she would soon forge ; but almost immediately, she struck again, with increased violence, and succession of shocks brought the alarming conviction that she was ashore ; and that it was not the entrance to Hokianga, but that of Haerekino or False Hokianga. The guns were instantly hove overboard, and the masts cutaway, which falling, with the sails set, towards the shore, dragged the vessel still higher on the beach. On the tide receding, the vessel being about half way between high and low water mark, the officers and crew were enabled to land, about two o'clock on Thursday morning, with their small arms and some dry ammunition, which had been fortunately saved on deck, the greater part having been thrown overboard. The vessel stands upright on her keel, in the sand, and is but slightly injured, the heel of the keel only being knocked away. The stores are being landed, and the crew are assisted by one hundred and fifty natives, who are well disposed, and behave very friendly and peaceably. Two of them had been caught pilfering, and had been taken into custody. After the stores are all taken out of the Osprey, there is no hope of her floating, without a number of empty casks to raise her, or of hauling her off. The shore, on that part of the western coast is extremely shallow for a long distance outwards, with a heavy surf and breakers continually rolling in, even when the wind is off the land ; so that no vessel of proper size and power could approach with safety, sufficiently near to render the Osprey efficient assistance is hauling off.

This untoward circumstance has arisen, it appears, from mistaking the headlands; and likewise, from being misled, by the hoisting of the red flag, similar to the practice at the true Hokianga, to apprise vessels that there is sufficient water for them on the bar. From information we have received, we learn that this little harbour of Haere-kino is precisely a miniature of Hokianga, and the principal native chief has adopted the plan of the pilot at the latter place, to announce high water to the smaller vessels that may approach his settlement. We consider that some measures should be taken to prevent in future recurrence of similar disasters to large vessels. The harbour of Hokianga, itself, although a bar harbour, can be approached and entered, with proper precautions ; therefore, the accident should not, in any degree, tend to the detraction of it. If some wooden beacon, or some other land mark, was erected at Haere-kino, and public notice given, the access to Hokianga would be more easily ascertained, and the strand of Haere-kino more certainly avoided.

The Aurora, schooner, of Hokianga, is employed to convey the stores of the Osprey to that port, and the Adelaide, brig, has sailed from here, to take them on board for their ultimate destination. H.M.S. Racehorse, likewise, sailed on Thursday morning, for the Bay of Islands, to be in communication with the officers and crew of the Osprey.

The "Osprey." H.M.S. Racehorse arrived this morning from the Bay of Islands, bringing intelligence that H.M.B. Osprey was surveyed and condemned by proper officers; and having been stripped of her copper sheathing, &c., she was left where she struck - and has probably gone to pieces during the late gales.-
New Zealander, April 11, 1846

The Posthumous, Marshall, hence 6 July, [1846], arrived at Gravesend on the 16th December; Commander Patten, of the Osprey, and the other officers, and part of the crew, who proceeded to England by this vessel, had been ordered to Portsmouth, where the Court martial upon them for the loss of the Osprey at New Zealand, was to take place.
SG & SGTL ; Vol 4 ; Page 127.

22 May 1847 The Loss of the Osprey.- On Monday, a court martial, comprising Rear Admiral Hyde Parker, C.B., President ; Captain Pasco, of the Victory ; Captain Chads, of the Excellent ; Captain Lushington, of the Vengeance ; Captain Henderson, of the Sidon ; Captain Miloe, of the St. Vincent; Captain Giffard, of the Penelope ; and Mr. G. L. Groetham, Deputy Judge Advocate of the Fleet, assembled on board the St. Vincent, to try on the information of Rear Admiral Sir T. Cochrane, Commander F. Patten, of her Majesty's late sloop Osprey, and the officers and ship's company, for the loss of that vessel on the western coast of New Zealand, in March last. It is quite unnecessary to give the evidence adduced ; the whole case rested upon this fact the waters where the ship was wrecked had never been surveyed, and False Hokianga so closely resembles True Hokianga, that mistaking one for the other was most natural under the circumstances detailed before the Court. Commander Patten read his defence. The Court fully acquitted Commander Patten, as well as the officers and ship's company ; and were of opinion that every exertion had been made in the endeavour to save the said ship. The President then returned Commander Patten his sword.-
London Paper.

SG & SGTL ; Vol 4 ; Page 148.

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